Sciatic nerve paralysis

Medical records that document the degree of motor loss below the knee are central to showing where you fall on the rating scale. For a complete paralysis rating, an examiner's findings of foot drop with no active movement of muscles below the knee, and notes about weakened or absent knee flexion, directly address the 80% criteria. For severe incomplete paralysis, records showing marked muscular atrophy — typically through physical measurements comparing the affected and unaffected limbs — support the 60% level.

For moderate or moderately severe ratings, nerve conduction studies, electromyography results, and examination findings describing the extent of motor and sensory loss help establish how much function is impaired. If the involvement is sensory only, that limits the rating to mild or moderate at most under the regulation. Statements from you or people who know you, describing how weakness, foot drop, or pain affects walking, standing, working, or daily tasks, can help show the functional picture that corresponds to each level of incomplete paralysis.